Estes Park Bobcats split road games

Boys drop 21-point decision to Jefferson Academy, bounce back with league opening win in Sterling

By Debbie Holmes

Posted:
01/14/2014 01:56:32 PM MST

Zach Pierce (3) hit two crucial freethrows late against Sterling to ice the Bobcat win to open league play. (Debbie Holmes / Trail-Gazette File Photo)

SCOREBOARD

Estes Park 50 Jefferson 71

Estes Park 48 Sterling 45

For the first 16 minutes of their Jan. 9 game against the undefeated, and second ranked (class 3A) Jefferson Academy Jaguars, the Estes Park Bobcats more than held their own. Estes Park held a 27-24 lead when the two teams headed into the halftime break.

"We played very well the first half, taking a 3 point lead," said head coach Chad Nachtrieb. "Foul trouble and poor free throw shooting in the second half really hurt us."

Isaak Cirone was the leading scorer for the Bobcats in their games against Jefferson Academy and Sterling. (Debbie Holmes / Trail-Gazette File Photo)

The second half was a different story. When it was all said and done, the Cats lost against the Jaguars with a final score of 71-50. The senior-junior tandem of Adam Christenson and Isaak Cirone led the Bobcats both offensively and defensively. Christenson scored 11 points, had 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Cirone scored 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

The Cats struggled from beyond the arch as zero of their 12, 3-point field goal attempts landed any points for Estes, and they only connected on only 14 of their 24 free throw attempts.

However, "It was a tough game for us, we are taking home a lot of positives from that game," said Nachtrieb.

Sterling

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The Cats headed to Sterling High School on Saturday, Jan. 11 to play their first Patriot League game against the Tigers. Estes begins their league play beating Sterling, 48 - 45.

"Our defensive intensity won the game for us. We took advantage of their guards by pressuring the ball the entire game. We had a solid rotation set to keep guys fresh down the stretch. It was a close game the entire way," said Nachtrieb.

The Cats built a 10-point lead late in the third quarter and then had to focus when they found themselves down by one point as the fourth quarter began. "The guys played tough to win by 3 points."

Cirone, Christenson and Zach Pierce combined their skills for 42 of the 48 final points. Cirone was on fire sinking 24 points. He also captured 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.

"Zach Pierce went to the free throw line with 10.2 seconds left on the clock, we were only one point up at that time. He made both free throws to give us the win," said Nachtrieb.

Pierce also had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals during his game on Saturday. Then Estes fans held their breath as Sterling's last second shot missed wide right.

This puts Estes with a 1-0 record in the Patriot League, which is a great start to a team that struggled so early in their season. Over all their team record is 5 wins and 5 losses.

The basketball team played three games last week in a five-day time frame, picking up wins over Heritage Christian and Sterling.

"To win two of the three games played last week, was a testament to our teams mental and physical toughness," said Nachtrieb. "I'm proud of the team for that."

The junior varsity team won by two against the JV Tiger team, Spencer Woodard sank a last second put back shot to win.

Estes heads to Kersey, on Friday, Jan. 17 to take on the Platte Valley Broncos, who also find themselves with a .500 record. Friday's game will be the Bronco's first league competition and Estes' second. The game begins at 7 p.m.

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